The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1887-03-03
AN AWAKENING.

-CndFcs 4aorsaH Harger, IN 1h' Current.
AN AWAKENING.
'Wil| you come down to our place
next Monday, Charlie, for couple of
days shooting?"
Monday? Yes. Delighted, old
chap
Then the friends proceeded to settle
details. They would meet at the sta
ton and go by the $50 train, which
would land them in comfortable time
for dinner.
Now, if Charles West had a weak
ness, it was that he was prone to be a
little obi v:ous about time, and was in
the habit OF running his engagements
rather fine. The Monday afternoon, TO
beguile tho time between luncheon and
the train, he called on pretty woman
OF his acquaintance, and she was so
amusing that he stopped until the last
moment and then jumped into han
som. telling his jehu to drive like the
devil. Unfortunately, his own watch
had stopped Che forgot to wind it up
the previous night, and how could he
know that his hostess clock was a
quarter of an hour slow?
When he arrived on the platform he
was met by his servant, who. with a
countcnancc Inexpensive of emotion,
pleasurablc or otherwise. Informed
him that the train had departed, bear
ing Captain Leslie with it. The Cap
tain had left word that he hoped Mr..
West would go by the next train, which
was not until $50, and reached D.
at 1915. lie would drive tho dogcart
over to meet hint was six miles from
the station.
Charlie swore exhaustivcly. He was
not ill-tempered. but surely, if a man
might be justified (Which l by no
means admiD in indul ging in bad Ian
guagc. here was case III point. 10
find yourself in the east end of London,
with two hours aud fifty minutes on
hand; to have forcsone pleasant din
ner and evening; to have put your host
to great Inconvenience and probably to
have given q bad impression to his fam
lily before your arrival-all these things
are extremely vex'ng.
But, having tolerably happy dispo-
sit:on, Charlie. after his first outburst
OF wrath and disgust. took it very we'll
He got mo another hanson, returned
to his club at the West End, read the
papers. dined lightly and took excellent
care to be in time for the $780,
1t was slow train; it stopped at
nearly every station, and arrived at
last, t!lirty-five minutes late. His
friend, who had time to recover his
first feeling OF resentment ut Charlie S
confoundrd moons ;deratencss, met him
cordially. The dog-cart was capacious,
and they managed to cram in the SER
want and luggage and went of at
spanking pace to- the court. The
moon shone brightly, the roads were
excellent.
''Jovcr' uttered Charlie, drawing a
long breath. How good everything
smells, and what blessing it is to get
out of London"
They drove through long avenue of
trees and came to a big, old-fashioned
red house with a great mere shining
like mirror in front of it.
Il expect said George Leslie, that
we shall find everybody gone to bed ;
all my people are tremendously
early"
And so it proved. The friends re-
freshed themselves in the dning-roon,
tete-a-tete, then returned to the smok-
ing-room. and the hour of l had given
tongue from the stable clock before
they thought of turning in. Leslie
showed Charlie his room, spacious and
tapestry-hung, and the young gentle
man, having drawn back the curtains
which the hOusemaid, after the manner
OF her kind. had Theoretically closed,
and thrown one W ndow wide open, re-
tired to bed, to sleep the sleep of the
just. He awoke en- sursaat by hearing
his name, ''Charlie! Charley! do wake
up 1t was pretty feminine voice,
and Charlie was not in the habit of be-
ing called in this fashion.
He started and looked up What he
saw was slim young lady, with very
pretty figure, in i blue cotton gown
and the back of charming head with
golden plaits. The fair one was look
ing out of the window and apostrophiz-
ing him ut the same time.
lit is such glorious morning; aren't
you ashamed Of yourself, you great
idle creature, to be lying there missing
all tn lovely sunshine? Do get up and
come out with me before breakfast"
Charley is not shy. but Il very decided
feeling of embarrassment creeps over
him. OF course it is i mistake. He
has known some rapid young ladies in
his time. but never one who would have
she had ever been introduced to him.
But how on earth was he to intimate
to her that she was in error about his
identy? She had called him Charlie,
too! Leslie's name was George, and he
had no brothers. In any case it was
rather strong order for girl to come
into any mans room who was not hcl
brother.
Charlie buried his head under the
clothes, and awaited the denouement.
1t was not long in coming.
"Charlie.' said the fair one again,
and this time her voice indicated that
her face was turned in his direction,
'if you don't wake up this instant will
throw wet sponge at you. You are q
lazy pig!'
Then he heard her proceed to the
washing-stand and dip sponge in the
water, and partly wiring it. Next mo-
ment, with unusually good aim for 8
girl, 1t bounced on his head, which wa
protected by the bedclothes.
Charlie smothered laugh, it was be-
coming too ridiculous.
VERY we'll, them said the voice. ap
preaching; Il shall come and drag tile
oo)thes o&you,"